The Eskimos started this
home-and-home series with a convincing 25-7 victory over Winnipeg this past
Saturday as 5.5-point favorites at home. The total stayed ‘Under’ the 52-point
closing line. Edmonton is now 2-9 straight-up on the year but 5-6 against the
spread after covering in four of its last five games. The total has gone ‘Over’
in seven of its 11 games including four of five games on the road.

While the Eskimos have to be
happy with the win especially after losing their previous eight contests, they
still have some major problems on both sides of the ball. The offense, led by
quarterback Mike Reilly, has shown some signs of improvement over the past few
weeks, but it is averaging just 23.5 points a game. Edmonton’s defense has not
been able to keep pace with this lack of production and has allowed an average
of 27.4 points a game.

Winnipeg Overview

Last week’s loss dropped the
Blue Bombers to 2-9 SU on the year and 4-7 ATS. They are 1-4 both SU and ATS at
home this season with the total going ‘Over’ in four of the five games. They
have now failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games. Winnipeg
remains the lowest scoring team in the CFL with an average of just 20.4 points
a game.

Justin Goltz and Max Hall
split time at quarterback against the Eskimos, but neither was effective moving
the ball through the air with a total of just 214 passing yards and no
touchdowns. The Blue Bombers’ defense has had trouble keeping teams out of the
end zone all season long and it is now ranked last in the league in points
allowed; giving-up an average of 30.3 points a game.

Opening CFL betting lines for
this game has Edmonton listed as a 2.5-point home favorite with the total set
at 51.

The Eskimos are 1-10 SU in
their last 11 road games and the total has gone ‘Over’ in five of their last
six games on the road.

The Blue Bombers are 1-8 SU
in their last nine games overall and the total has stayed ‘Under’ in four of
their last six games.

Head-to-head in this matchup,
Edmonton is 3-6 ATS in the last nine meetings and 1-5 both SU and ATS in its
last six trips to Winnipeg. The total has stayed ‘Under’ in 11 of the last 15
meetings at Investors Group Field.

Both these teams are clearly
the bottom feeders in the CFL this season with numerous issues in every phase
of the game. Given how hard it is to beat a team twice in-a-row in just a
week’s time, the edge this time around goes to Winnipeg, especially in light of
the past sports betting trends in this matchup. Betting the ‘Under’ in a game like
this could be a solid play, but the free CFL pick for this contest is Winnipeg
covering with the points at home.